[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6140942,"mediaKeyId","5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788","parentId",5576930,"title","Lodging and travel groups describe donations, cancellations and need for coordinated recovery after Hill Country floods","audioSeconds",819,"startMs",4046000,"endMs",4865000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788&start=4046&end=4865","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788/thumbnail_4046000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140942/Texas/Lodging-and-travel-groups-describe-donations-cancellations-and-need-for-coordinated-recovery-after-Hill-Country-floods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140942-44f4062206001509a48663c22afaf882/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437234&Signature=Yna3qsFy9t5KcIXi7-McQbOFk~1vEy099KQNwNEAE0U8qc~XdE6PeTg70E-yH257NLrmpVWTaaHtzDNv5DmqRKvgDYkDNdeI2fYm511A3BoGX3TtPrbluZiilCTQ-kaHh-40CjTuq4jPOfzR8ZzkggG8D-G63V0Y2kBFzulk8i2vWr8iwXqDAniQt-VvB~oPSBSD4k~hW08-5VZi7lrfuYnrGE~sfigBkfM3khlarURfHEjVMpJD5atGHxyAVZgz88AMuBaosFYCw3JPJK~zCLfmyAAZqaSaz6eAs-rv8N0Pim8R0H5IxReEwzbqfT4l-HHyDtv9KIX9ksHprKVMsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas House of Representative","date","2025-06-08T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, the Texas Association of Campground Owners and the Texas Travel Alliance told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee that the July Hill Country floods caused cancellations, reduced tourism demand and significant economic ripple effects for local communities.

\"Since 1903 we've seen a lot of disasters across the state of Texas,\" Justin Bragle, general counsel for the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, said. He said the association represents about 6,000 lodging properties and that many hotel members donated hundreds of room nights in July to support first responders and displaced residents. Bragle urged economic support for the region as recovery moves beyond immediate shelter needs.

Randall Dally, past president of the Texas Association of Campground Owners, described business impacts from weather‑related fear: parks that remain open have experienced sharp cancellations and phone calls dropped off even in areas far from the damaged spot. He said the association planned a marketing campaign to tell visitors the Hill Country is open and urged campsite owners to have evacuation and emergency plans filed with local authorities.

Erica Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, said the industry can help by educating visitors about destination‑specific safety and by amplifying local messages through tourism channels. Witnesses and lawmakers also discussed problems with broad county‑wide alerts that can produce false or noisy warnings for visitors and residents; several witnesses said that led some people to disable phone alerts.

No legislation was proposed during the hearing. Lodging and campground representatives offered to supply best practices and coordinate with state and local emergency-management officials on sheltering, communications and a recovery‑focused marketing push to restore visitors to affected areas.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism Meeting 8/06/25","oneSentenceSummary","Hotel, campground and travel industry witnesses told the committee the floods caused cancellations and reduced bookings across the region; industry groups donated rooms and prepared a media campaign to reassure visitors that most Hill Country destinations remain open.","taxTitle","All Committees 2025, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Legislative, Texas","taxId",80463,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140948,"Camp operators and state health officials urge clearer, site‑specific emergency plans after Hill Country floods",865,2765000,3630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788&start=2765&end=3630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","/articles/6140948/Texas/Camp-operators-and-state-health-officials-urge-clearer-sitespecific-emergency-plans-after-Hill-Country-floods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140948-1ddd28e0ab144ead918e06b1233f48f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437234&Signature=gMu2Amgl1AecKQQI447XKG7RU2s-SAEjsoTPMSD6COhV9cT3pNnPbGW9uDjDaySAj9DYonoRKj2glNTZoKolTuphw1Faq0vhnQZl7Ud01zgb4i1vF301guZDqRVzueB3QY5-dKIiy5kbjrQPMTtMCpShtV-MEubVrlEJZyaXoFE85bZgNzCYbGHBvmZ4qv03~-qa--M2Ucwkmvovehpdx-RwjC1GG6XF9hR~orvYrG3FBmke8ZhkjQ4vgBoKKJDAsTpaFF~mk2az-ET-1XR8dHvxh31DCLUBAfH-S02LOplVqtbssTSkwInEEr0AivnwTjMnUnzCOGTJZqtRQuJSoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Texas youth camps, the Department of State Health Services and national camp groups told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee that youth camps must strengthen site‑specific emergency plans, establish non‑cell communications, and coordinate with local emergency responders after the July Hill Country floods.

\"There is a statutory framework in Health and Safety Code, Chapter 141, and camps are required to have written emergency plans,\" Dr. Timothy Stevenson, testifying for the Texas Department of State Health Services, told the committee. He said DSHS inspects roughly 374 youth camps annually, aims to inspect about 95 percent of licensed camps during the operating season, and reviews each camp's written emergency plan during inspections.

Camp operators described how they sheltered in place during the flood, relied on two‑way radio systems, and used relationships with local first responders. Meg Clark, representing Camp Waldemar, said the camp's staff moved canoes off the river and sheltered campers in cabins above the river overnight; power and cell service were lost and the camp used 2‑way radios to communicate. Clark said the camp ended its term early the day after the storm, transported campers once roads cleared, and emphasized regular orientation training and on‑site walkthroughs with local responders.

Steve Baskin, board chair of the American Camp Association and owner/operator of Camp Champions, urged clarified standards for emergency plans, including site‑specific procedures coordinated with local authorities and insurers, redundant communications (walkie‑talkies, NOAA radios, lightning alert devices), and clear triggers for escalating response levels from \"watch\" to \"warning.\" Baskin recommended that camps file site plans with local emergency officials and suggested that plans be site‑specific because lakes, rivers and creeks present different hydrodynamic risks.

Committee members pressed whether the Legislature or the commission should prohibit overnight accommodations in flash‑flood‑prone locations. DSHS counsel said that a statutory prohibition would likely require legislative direction and that agencies can otherwise pursue layered mitigation: redundant communications, local coordination, and emergency drills. Camp witnesses favored on‑site consultations with local first responders and annual walkthroughs as best practice but warned against unduly prescriptive rules that would not fit every camp's physical context.

Other topics included alarm/siren use (witnesses suggested careful calibration so alarms do not traumatize children and that tests be clearly marked), the limits of cellular alerts in rural areas, and the value of regular joint exercises with local emergency personnel. No rule changes or legislation were adopted at the hearing; witnesses said they will provide written recommendations to the committee for further consideration.","Camp operators, the Department of State Health Services and the American Camp Association told lawmakers that youth camps need site‑specific emergency plans, redundant non‑cell communications, and coordination with local first responders; legislators questioned whether overnight accommodations should be allowed in flash‑flood‑prone locations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140953,"Texas Historical Commission details storm damage, insurance gaps and suggestions to protect historic properties",587,1893000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788&start=1893&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788/thumbnail_1893000.jpg","/articles/6140953/Texas/Texas-Historical-Commission-details-storm-damage-insurance-gaps-and-suggestions-to-protect-historic-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140953-cd3e9425badba097d6e4a57b1903ffc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437235&Signature=GelLtvhM4DCaVQ4sZjJItsdVLWplzfC6ch8KA41~JceavH5SeH~evTm1gtgSvTvhTd6I-2Y24t1zvuqhyz5Jf2enolLAdYeUP8rCx9dg652rbR2Qxc8R1b0twk-JyRb4TrXlpmuQj2nBi83zIFmzA4w0ICJ3aKjuwfHuHT4WaYii~PDZsgNpbGNwssyrZ24lv7LSyXcPa~da0fcFutnQIZf1MPQLJV30cTzElvGR5~jGCBx~n2t3Jc3AWTt9ZtT2jYiFmZPCMHoNSysd2jK-HZEP9yMOsVGdR7XzF2tmW15KzHRRiPXNAh12kjUbt9xAkzb6gVBFwz2-gU6w--AzaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Historical Commission told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee that natural disasters and extreme weather present rising risks to historic sites across Texas and that the commission is updating disaster response planning and pursuing insurance and storage solutions for high‑risk collections.

\"We are looking at developing and updating a more comprehensive natural disaster plan to address many of the different regions that we have properties,\" Joseph Bell, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, said. He said the agency manages 42 state historic sites and ranks properties for risk using tools such as the FEMA National Risk Index.

Bell reviewed past disasters that damaged historic properties: Hurricane Harvey directly hit Rockport's Fulton Mansion and required two years of repair; an EF‑4 tornado destroyed the visitor center at Caddo Mounds in 2019 during a public event; and threats from wildfires and flooding have prompted site evacuations and fire breaks.

Bell said the commission and TPWD have a memorandum of agreement for mutual aid in emergencies and that a statewide programmatic agreement including FEMA, the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Division of Emergency Management is used for disaster recovery consultation. He said the commission has consulted on more than 18,000 disaster recovery projects in the last eight years.

The commission said it has pursued insurance for high‑risk properties and for collections held in trust, and noted a Sunset Committee recommendation to build a joint collections storage facility serving multiple state agencies. Bell said some progress has occurred at the General Land Office and at Library and Archives, but that a joint facility for multiple collections has not advanced and the agency seeks a path forward.

Bell also described instances when local alarm or communication systems failed: in the Caddo Mounds tornado, local alarm systems did not alert the public and several people were caught off guard, highlighting the need to reexamine warning and shelter procedures at historic sites.

No new policy was adopted during the hearing; the commission said it will continue updating site emergency plans, consult with FEMA and seek partnerships to speed collection protection and recovery.","The Texas Historical Commission told lawmakers it is updating disaster planning for 42 state historic sites, uses FEMA guidance for vulnerability ranking, and supports shared collection storage but urged action to speed insurance and recovery processes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140957,"TPWD outlines river restoration and wildlife recovery work after Hill Country floods",499,757000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788&start=757&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788/thumbnail_757000.jpg","/articles/6140957/Texas/TPWD-outlines-river-restoration-and-wildlife-recovery-work-after-Hill-Country-floods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140957-a308086498a41aa64bc89b513652a1bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437235&Signature=oKoBS7GaL0cqymAJFLqjgV0WRtqSCkneA1j23FuPVJwbKjbZfzzQhgmw1~UznxmbgR1a9y0zNKjhkHoIkwdV1sZrRMEpnmypvy18mG7wfcVplARnczMDIgLDbl8nGBZNcSSooH7j3h2fkAdTF7TNI4IqYEhz0zdr4ZGBQLmEnH30ZUUVoBO~n1X3-cfCWFmJ6FB~87-W~s9jrx2XJy2oyv8q1-b6~jDVQwNYg9lhKN93sjLSgrtpz1gd57gETbBGUJZfQK7T9Y5eYnc0nU2xL6xjeTwcWKbG59zg~bgJerz5Ei1lumynsA1UPsP6yHUV3MpooAGyPxXgQAvUNNRWLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee that fish and wildlife populations in Hill Country streams are resilient after flash flooding but that habitat recovery will require targeted restoration work and landowner partnerships.

\"Fish are gonna be fine at a population level so long as we can help those river corridors recover,\" Tim Birdsong, director of TPWD's Inland Fisheries Division, said during his testimony. Birdsong described tagging studies that showed many Guadalupe Bass remained in-place during prior flood events and others moved upstream to recolonize habitat.

Birdsong reviewed TPWD programs that support river restoration: landowner outreach, cost‑share incentives through USDA Farm Bill programs, the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program and technical assistance offered through TPWD's wildlife and fisheries biologists. He said following the Blanco River floods in 2015 and the Llano River events in 2018 TPWD organized workshops, distributed plants from nurseries and developed demonstration sites with willing landowners.

To assess flood damage this year, Birdsong said TPWD will conduct surveys to identify hazards to navigation and safety for paddlers, anglers and waders, complete standard fish and wildlife surveys, then prepare action and conservation plans. He said the department will hold public scoping meetings this fall to gather stakeholder input and identify partners to implement restoration projects.

Birdsong emphasized the importance of managing riparian vegetation to provide buffer functions and cover for terrestrial wildlife and to support long‑term river healing. He said some post‑flood activities—including gravel dredging or heavy machinery in riparian zones—can impede natural recovery and that TPWD seeks to guide landowners toward best practices.

No formal policy or funding change was enacted at the hearing; TPWD said it will use existing programs and seek partner funding to implement restoration plans and public engagement.","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told the committee it will refocus biologists, hold public scoping meetings and use farm‑and‑ranch conservation and landowner programs to support riparian and river corridor restoration after the floods.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140962,"Texas Parks and Wildlife describes large-scale search, rescue and evacuations after July Hill Country floods",388,209000,597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788&start=209&end=597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576930-e58c9286b177cbbb42a0e5ae208e4788/thumbnail_209000.jpg","/articles/6140962/Texas/Texas-Parks-and-Wildlife-describes-large-scale-search-rescue-and-evacuations-after-July-Hill-Country-floods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140962-8c846787e924ae679b897aafb798ece6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437235&Signature=MtGl2Qv570jjKwYdbd0T4lT5w9-d-oW3TVefTOhMnyyvSLisIYHP9Q5t5u4vbLHXO0ajLf3CRrqfOMtMsfQB-EWHQpOjqF8FcPfT2jCuiKmgjQ-1dtuAyf6OW2zDbPTVacVeWrGVF9~6Jj5PmckPl4ME7ZqA~q5FPvm1HgcsEcsIOcmL29VrZrJkCsIZ0-Mm9ZWD9YHFNS1mO888A73w25HU94f1W4hoeGt4u2d3On~25A0z678JXsRj5UCgdJKBbUItD9GAbLqUrk7GZyvqYUtJdVlkH-E6H4h8OQ31xC4nztTpu6kRYRzGpFIcf40iGdgH69XMkU~0aKHMGlQMOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department executive told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee on July 9 that the agency pre‑staged personnel and assets and carried out large‑scale search and rescue and evacuation operations after flash floods struck the Hill Country.

\"The department takes the preparation for response to emergencies with a high level of professionalism,\" David Joskowitz, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, told the committee. He said the agency manages roughly 750,000 acres of wildlife management areas, 89 state parks that draw nearly 10 million visitors annually and 10,000 square miles of surface water.

The department said it activated site‑specific emergency plans at parks and the department level and placed staff at the State Operations Center to coordinate the response. Joskowitz said park staff relocated or evacuated 359 visitors from parks and closed 22 parks fully or partially; he reported no injuries or casualties among park visitors.

Colonel Ron Vander Roos, who testified as the department's game warden colonel, described the wardens' role in law enforcement and search and rescue. He said game wardens pre‑deployed assets on July 3, then responded before sunrise on July 4 with more than 169 pre‑staged wardens and roughly 200 specialized assets. Vander Roos said a broader tally for the Hill Country response included 375 game wardens, more than 475 assets, 33 life‑saving evacuations the morning of intense flooding, and more than 400 people evacuated in the region by game wardens.

\"They did an incredible job under unbelievable conditions,\" Joskowitz said of the game wardens and state park staff. Vander Roos credited a permanent game warden presence at the state's Emergency Operations Center and pre‑positioning with enabling rapid response.

Committee members asked about warning systems at parks after witnesses said cell service is unreliable at many rural sites. Joskowitz said state parks do not have sirens but do collect phone numbers during registration and are working with their reservation vendor to target text alerts to campsites in identified flood zones. He also said the parks plan to rely on public‑address systems and park hosts to conduct campsite‑by‑campsite announcements when evacuation or relocation is needed.

Members and witnesses discussed communications gaps and interoperability challenges during major incidents. Vander Roos and Joskowitz said wardens and parks made use of helicopters, drones, boats, K‑9 and dive teams during the response and that they are preparing after‑action reports to identify areas for improvement.

The committee did not take formal action. Witnesses said they would continue after‑action reviews and coordinate with local emergency managers and the Texas Division of Emergency Management to refine communications and predeployment plans.","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee that state park staff and game wardens pre‑staged assets before the July storms, executed search and rescue operations and relocated hundreds of people without injuries during the Hill Country floods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lodging and travel groups describe donations, cancellations and need for coordinated recovery after Hill Country floods

Camp operators and state health officials urge clearer, site‑specific emergency plans after Hill Country floods

Texas Historical Commission details storm damage, insurance gaps and suggestions to protect historic properties

TPWD outlines river restoration and wildlife recovery work after Hill Country floods

Texas Parks and Wildlife describes large-scale search, rescue and evacuations after July Hill Country floods